David Moyes described it as a human sling. Sam Allardyce described it as the best Scud missile he had ever seen. Luiz Felipe Scolari, on the other hand, found it difficult to describe. "I've never seen anything like it before," said the new Chelsea boss.
During Stoke City's shoulder-barging entry into the Premier League in 2008, Scolari was not the only one dumbfounded by Rory Delap's long throws. After a bruising 2-1 loss at the Britannia Stadium, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tried to change the rules. "It's a little bit unfair," he said after the loss.
Link sponsored by
Why Is Everyone Excited About This $59 Blood Sugar Smartwatch?
What's so exciting about this $59 Blood Sugar Smartwatch?
Version 2.0 of TrackPro
Yahoo helps you find the best cat footwear
Yahoo helps you find the best cat footwear
Cats love these shoes!
Search Yahoo!
It seemed almost impossible to stop them for a while.
Delap, a javelin thrower in his youth, had the unique ability to combine distance and accuracy with an exceptionally flat trajectory.
YT
Jeans for Dad (Dudlle)
These 4 foods are linked to memory loss, according to a neuropsychologist
These 4 foods have been linked to memory loss, according to a neuroscientist
(www.simplefixtoday.com)
Wearing walking shoes all day is the best option for elderly people.
For elderly people, the best walking shoes are those that can be worn all day long.
(Orthopraxis)
The 4 fruits you should avoid if you have diabetes
The 4 fruits you should avoid if you have diabetes
Eat nothing (do not eat)
According to ConsumerDailyTrends.com
(www.votefromabroad.org)
The Best Deals On Affordable Grinding Machines (Search Now)
The Best Deals on Affordable Grinding Machines (Search Now)
Get special offers on high-quality grinding machines.
Machines for grinding
Mexico 3D Scanner Machine Costs
Mexico 3D Scanner Machine Costs
With cutting-edge 3D scanning technology, you can enhance precision and streamline processes.
Scanner (3D)
Solar Panel Companies in Your Area (See Options)
Solar Panel Companies in Your Area (See Options)
Get huge savings on solar panels & reduce your energy bills.
(Installation of solar panels)
Citizens of the United States can vote from abroad this fall if they register now.
Take action now and make sure you are registered to vote in November.
This $59 blood sugar smartwatch has everyone excited
TrackPro 2.0 (TrackPro)
Currently trending
Ronaldo is far away from Manchester, says Ten Hag
Ronaldo questions Ten Hag, calls for Man Utd to rebuild
The latest from Manchester United: Ten Hag responds to Ronaldo's criticism
The hearing on Man City's 115 charges will begin next week
LIVE Premier League build-up! Vote on the ultimate 'Barclaysman'!
Arsenal can be threatened by Postecoglou's free-flowing football
A TV interview with Son led to Bentancur being charged by the FA
Warren: It will be hard for AJ to bounce back from the crushing loss to Dubois
It doesn't mean Piastri will give up wins because of McLaren's new orders
The five-phase plan, job title change, and Edu bond - how Arteta changed Arsenal
Take a look
News from around the world
As a result of their promotion that year, Stoke were not expected to survive in the Premier League. After losing 3-1 to newly promoted rivals Bolton on the opening day, one bookmaker sat on their return to the Premier League. Stoke weren't going anywhere, so those punters who had early returns were the lucky ones.
Premier League table live
Sky Sports is now available to stream
Fixtures for the Premier League
This week, Sky Sports is showing live football
Formulation of the plan
Over 200 appearances for Stoke City were made by Rory Delap
The image is:
Over 200 appearances for Stoke were made by Delap
They had played together at Sunderland and moved from the Stadium of Light to Stoke one after another in late 2006. It was only later that Lawrence and his teammates realized the full extent of Delap's throwing ability.
As he tells us, "it was strange how it happened." While we were training, we played a small-sided game on a pitch that had been slightly lowered. Rory took a throw-in that was absolutely ridiculous. The following day, Tony Pulis made him launch balls into the box and that was the end of it."
Delap's arrow-like throws were a common sight during Stoke's promotion-winning season in 2007/08. But Pulis fully weaponised them until the following summer, instructing Stoke's groundstaff to narrow the Britannia Stadium pitch as much as Premier League regulations permitted.
Delap's throws suddenly reached the six-yard box.
We knew we had a chance if we caused as much carnage as possible in the box
Rory Delap's long throws: Liam Lawrence's perspective
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we would work on set pieces, not just throws but corners, free kicks, and anything else we could think of. No matter what their role was, whether they were getting across the near post, getting around the back, or holding their position, every player knew what their role was.
It was all choreographed. A big boy would block Ryan Shawcross' marker if he was getting across the near post, so he would have a free run. It looked like carnage, but that was the way it was meant to look. We knew we would always have a chance if we could cause as much carnage in the box as possible."
'Horrible to play against'
They were known for their aggression and physicality
The image is:
The Stokes were known for their aggression and physicality
By doing things their own way, Stoke became a feared opponent when the big four - Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal - were pulling away from the rest in the Premier League and Spain's tiki-taka was dominating the international game. Despite their reputation for aggression and physicality, they enjoyed it.
Lawrence describes his dressing room as one-of-a-kind. "We used to get a lot of criticism and we hated things like that," he says. It got everybody's backs up and made us more determined than ever to succeed." Tony would bring newspaper clips of people slagging us off and slating us into training and on matchdays and pin them to the walls.
By the end of their first season in the Premier League, they boasted the seventh-best home record in the division thanks to the Britannia Stadium's open-ended stands, which makes it one of the windiest arenas in the country.
As Lawrence covers Stoke's games for local radio, he says, "The crowd is one of the best. We used to pack the ground. It was very loud and noisy. Before games, you could look across at the opposition and know that you already had them beat because they all looked across at our boys, who were 6ft 3ins and 6ft 4ins tall.
While some opted to fill the six-yard box with defenders in hopes of increasing their likelihood of successfully clearing the ball, others left room for the goalkeeper to attempt to catch it. The placement of advertising hoardings was adjusted to interrupt Delap's run-up. During a match against Hull, there was an unusual moment when Boaz Myhill kicked the ball out for a corner instead of throwing it in. Peter Crouch shared on his podcast in 2018 that he witnessed Heurelho Gomes with tears in his eyes during a game against Tottenham.
However, it was Arsenal who faced the most difficulties. As a result of Delap's throws, Stoke scored both of their goals in their 2-1 loss at the Britannia in November 2008, which prompted Wenger to suggest rule changes. It began a bitter rivalry between the two sides.
Lawrence says Wenger tried everything to change the throw-in law. He tried to prevent Rory from having a towel to dry the ball.
"We knew they didn't like us. They were like a five-a-side team at the time. They loved playing in little combinations. We knew they hated our style of play and that they did not think we were very good footballers, so we just kept on playing. Tony always told us to be aggressive and loud in the tunnel before we played.
In any case, Ricardo Fuller, myself, Matty Etherington and James Beattie scored some brilliant goals during our first couple of seasons in the Premier League.
"People said Rory was only playing because he could throw it, but he did a lot of work and he was a lot better than people gave him credit for."
Stoke's lost identity and changing times
In 2018, Stoke were relegated from the Premier League
The image is:
In 2018, Stoke were relegated from the Premier League
It took Stoke's Premier League rivals some time to learn to deal with the unique threat posed by their throw-ins. They scored nine Premier League goals in 2008/09, five in 2009/10, and four in 2010/11.
Following Delap's departure in 2013, Stoke secured three consecutive ninth-place finishes under Mark Hughes, despite an attempt to adopt a more expansive style of play.
More than a decade on, however, no throw has come close to Delap's. As his team-mates prepare to charge the six-yard box, we are yet to see another "human sling" set his sights on the six-yard box. We have not yet seen anything that has caused Premier League defences as much panic as Delap's.
"Like a human sling," said David Moyes. "It's the best Scud missile I've ever seen," said Sam Allardyce. Luiz Felipe Scolari had a harder time describing it. A newly appointed Chelsea boss said he had never seen anything like it before.
When Stoke City shoulder-barged their way into the Premier League in 2008, Colari was not the only one left dumbfounded by Rory Delap's long throws. After a bruising 2-1 loss at the Britannia Stadium, Arsene Wenger went so far as to try to change the rules. "It seems like an unfair advantage," he said after the game.
Link sponsored by
Is Everyone Excited About This $59 Blood Sugar Smartwatch?
Is this $59 Blood Sugar Smartwatch worth the hype?
Version 2.0 of TrackPro
Yahoo helps you find the best cat footwear
Yahoo helps you find the best cat footwear
Discover the shoes cats love!
Search Yahoo!
It seemed almost impossible to stop them for a while.
Delap, a javelin thrower in his youth, had the unique ability to combine distance and accuracy with a wickedly flat trajectory in the long throw.
YT
It is possible that YouTube uses cookies and other technologies to provide this content. In order to show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. Please use the buttons below to change your settings to enable YouTube cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via Privacy Options.
Cookies must be enabled
Once a cookie is allowed
It's been great for my kids to see my ugly mug in the papers. I'm not going to get any modeling contracts, but you've got to enjoy yourself." he said at the time. "If I throw the perfect ball, it's unstoppable." he said.
Links sponsored by our sponsors
What is Outbrain?
There is a perfect fit for every body type in these pants
The Dudlle Dad Jeans
These 4 foods are linked to memory loss, according to a neuroscientist
This 4 food is linked to memory loss, says a neurosurgeon
( https://simplefixtoday.com/)
These are the best walking shoes for elderly people to wear all day long.
These are the best walking shoes for elderly people to wear all day long.
(Orthopraxis)
The 4 fruits you should avoid if you have diabetes
The 4 fruits you should avoid if you have diabetes
Please do not eat.
( http://www.consumerdailytrends.com)
DNA Sequencing Solutions (See Options)
Sequencers (DNA)
You can vote from abroad. Register now for the November election. Get ready. Vote.
You can cast a ballot from anywhere in the world if you are 18 years old and over. Register first. Prepare now. State deadlines vary.
(www.votefromabroad.org)
The Best Deals On Affordable Grinding Machines (Search Now)
The Best Deals on Affordable Grinding Machines (Search Now)
Get special offers on high-quality grinding machines.
Machines for grinding
Mexico 3D Scanner Machine Costs
Mexico 3D Scanner Machine Costs
Utilize cutting-edge 3D scanning technology to enhance precision and streamline processes.
Scanner (3D)
Solar Panel Companies in Your Area (See Options)
Solar Panel Companies in Your Area (See Options)
Get huge savings on solar panels & lower your energy bills.
(Installation of solar panels)
Register now, vote this fall if you are a U.S. citizen living abroad.
Each US election cycle requires citizens to register to vote. Register now to ensure participation in November. Vote.
http://www.votefromabroad.org/
The $59 blood sugar smartwatch that has everyone excited
Why people are so excited about this $59 blood sugar smartwatch
TrackPro 2.0 (version 2.0)
Currently trending
Ronaldo is far away from Manchester, Ten Hag responds
Ronaldo questions Ten Hag, calls for rebuilding of Man Utd in the Transfer Centre
The latest Man Utd news: Ten Hag responds to Ronaldo's criticism
Hearing to begin next week on Man City's 115 charges
LIVE Premier League build-up! Vote for the ultimate 'Barclaysman'!
Arsenal can be threatened by Postecoglou's 'free-flowing' football
In response to Son's comments in a TV interview, Bentancur has been charged by the FA
In the wake of AJ's crushing loss to Dubois, it would be hard for him to bounce back
Norris: Piastri won't give up wins because of new McLaren orders
How Arteta changed Arsenal with a five-phase plan, a new job title, and an education bond
Take a look
The latest news
It was unlikely that Stoke would survive in the Premier League following their promotion that year, but they did. After losing 3-1 to newly promoted rivals Bolton on opening day, one bookmaker paid out on them to go straight back down. The lucky few enjoyed early returns. Stoke weren't going anywhere.
As their former winger Liam Lawrence explains, "People were saying our style of football wouldn't work in the Premier League and we would be beat more often than not." But we had a close-knit group with strong-willed characters who had a never-say-die attitude, and we played to our strengths, which were set-pieces and Rory's throw-ins."
See also:
Premier League table live
Sky Sports is now available to stream
Fixtures for the Premier League
Sky Sports this week has live football
Formulation of the plan
Over 200 appearances for Stoke City were made by Rory Delap
The image is:
Over 200 appearances for Stoke were made by Delap
In late 2006, Lawrence and his teammates first became aware of Delap's throwing ability after moving from Sunderland to Stoke one after another.
Rory said it was strange how it came to be. "We were in training playing a small-sided game on a pitch that had been lowered a bit, and he took a throw-in, and it was just ridiculous. Next day, Tony Pulis had him kick balls into the box and that was it."
During Stoke's promotion-winning season in the Championship in 2007/08, Delap's arrow-like throws were a regular sight. But Pulis fully weaponised them until the following summer, instructing Stoke's groundstaff to narrow the Britannia Stadium pitch as much as Premier League regulations allowed.
It didn't take long for Delap's throws to reach the six-yard line.
Deficiency
The Stoker
It was Ricardo Fuller, Mamady Sidibe and Seyi Olofinjana who scored from Delap's throws in games against Aston Villa, Everton, Portsmouth, Sunderland and Arsenal in the 2008/09 season. They finished in 12th place in the Premier League by scoring 25 of their 38 goals from throw-ins by the end of the season.
Lawrence recalls working on them religiously during training.
We knew we had a chance if we caused as much carnage as possible in the box
Rory Delap's long throws: Liam Lawrence
"We worked on them on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. We would spend hours on set pieces, not just throws but corners, free kicks and anything else that came into play. Whether it was getting across the near post, going around the back, or holding their position, everyone knew their role.
We had guys blocking, so if Ryan Shawcross was running across the near post, one of our big lads would be blocking his marker, so he could get a free run. It looked like carnage, but that was how it was meant to look. As long as we caused as much carnage in the box as possible, we knew we would always be able to win."
'Horrible to play against'
The Stokes were known for their aggression and physicality
The image is:
The Stokes were known for their aggression and physicality
Stoke became a feared opponent by doing things their own way at a time when the big four - Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal - were pulling away from the rest in the Premier League and Spain's tiki-taka was dominating the international game. Although it wasn't pretty, they relished their reputation for aggression and physicality.
It used to be that we got a lot of criticism and hated stuff like that, Lawrence says. "We had a unique dressing room," Lawrence says. He would bring cuttings of newspaper articles about people slamming us off and slamming us to the walls during training and matchdays. We became more determined than ever to succeed because it got everyone's backs up."
By the end of their first season in the Premier League, they boasted the seventh-best home record in the division thanks to the Britannia Stadium's open-ended stands and vociferous atmosphere.
Lawrence, who now covers Stoke's games for local radio, says the crowd is among the best. It would be packed, loud and noisy. In the tunnel before games, you could always see the opposition looking across at our boys, and they were all 6ft 3in and 6ft 4in monsters, so you knew you already had them beat.
As soon as we got a throw-in near the opposition 18-yard line, you could see the panic. Their players would get back in and shout at each other to make sure they were marking correctly.
Our opponents hated our style of play and thought we were not very good footballers. That only spurred us on.
Arsenal's Liam Lawrence
For Delap, it was not unusual to take more throw-ins than passes in a game. In addition to providing scoring opportunities, the throws also served as psychological weapons. Stoke used them to break up games and waste time. Their opponents would become obsessed with stopping them to the point of neglecting other areas of preparation.
They were defended in different ways by different sides.
While some opted to clog the six-yard box with defenders to improve their chances of successfully clearing the ball, others left room for the goalkeeper to take control. To disrupt Delap's infamous long throw, advertising hoardings were moved closer to the pitch. In a match against Hull, there was an unexpected moment when Boaz Myhill chose to put the ball out for a corner instead of a throw-in. According to Peter Crouch, who shared on his podcast in 2018, he witnessed Heurelho Gomes shed tears during a game against Tottenham.
Arsenal, however, encountered the most difficulties. The game in November 2008 that prompted Wenger to suggest rule changes was a 2-1 loss at the Britannia, when both of Stoke's goals came from Delap's throws. This sparked a bitter rivalry between the two teams.
"Wenger tried everything," says Lawrence. "He tried to change the throw-in law. He tried preventing Rory from having a towel to dry the ball.
They were like a five-a-side team at the time. They liked to play in small combinations. We knew they hated our style of play and that they didn't think we were very good footballers. It just spurred us on. Before we went out against them, Tony always told us to be extra loud and aggressive in the tunnel.
Ricardo Fuller, myself, Matty Etherington, and James Beattie all scored fantastic goals during their first two seasons in the Premier League.
People said Rory was only playing because he could throw, but he got through a lot of work and he was much better than people thought."
Stoke's lost identity and changing times
In 2018, Stoke were relegated from the Premier League
The image is:
In 2018, Stoke were relegated from the Premier League
In 2008/09, Stoke's Premier League rivals scored nine Premier League goals from throw-ins, but that number dropped to five in 2009/10 and four in 2010/11.
"I said it years ago, but Stoke is Stoke," Lawrence says. "They have a terrible reputation for being hard to beat and a horrible place to visit. The last few years have taught us how to be careful what we wish for." People were saying, "We need these kinds of players, we need those sorts of players." But eventually, it all started to go wrong. The identity of Stoke was lost, which was unfortunate."
In spite of Stoke's struggles, the throw-in has made a comeback. Set-piece coaches and throw-in specialists like Thomas Gronnemark are in demand across Europe as clubs search for the magic of marginal gains.
In the past decade, we haven't seen anything quite like Delap's throw. We haven't seen anything that has caused Premier League defences as much panic as that. His teammates are preparing to attack the six-yard box, but we have yet to see another "human sling" attempting it.
Â
